Urinary Incontinence (UI)

What is Urinary Incontinence (UI)?

Urinary incontinence (UI) is the unintentional loss of urine. It's a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and strong you don't get to a toilet in time. Urinary incontinence isn't an inevitable consequence of aging, and it can be treated. The treatment depends on the type of urinary incontinence you have.

Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence

Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence vary from person to person and can be mild to severe.

• The inability to make it to the bathroom in time
• The urge to pass urine that’s hard to control
• Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise
• Needing to urinate frequently (more than 8 times in 24 hours)
• Inability to completely empty your bladder
• Accidentally passing stool

Causes of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can have many possible causes, including:

• Weak or overactive bladder muscles
• Damage to nerves that control bladder muscles
• Blockage in the urinary tract, such as from a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or an enlarged prostate
• Side effects from certain medications
• Pregnancy or menopause
• Stress on the sphincter muscles caused by obesity or prior surgical procedures.

Treatments for Urinary Incontinence

Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type you have and how severe it is. Options may include:

• Pelvic floor exercises to strengthen muscles
• Bladder training techniques to help you regain control over urination
• Medications to control bladder contractions
• Catheters, to allow some urine to flow away without leakage
• Surgery, to repair or replace weakened or overactive muscles
• Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, to relieve stress on the bladder

Preventing Urinary Incontinence

When it comes to preventative measures, it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes:

• Maintenance of a healthy weight. Obesity strains the abdominal muscles, which can cause incontinence.
• Quitting smoking. Smoking can cause coughing, which can make incontinence worse.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of liquids, especially during the day. About eight glasses of water is recommended.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine intake. Alcohol and caffeine act as diuretics, which can lead to increased urge for urination.
• Incorporate Kegel exercises into your routine. Kegels improve the tone and strength of the pelvic floor muscles.